Charles Davis said Trevor Etienne is a hedge pick the Panthers absolutely needed because the backfield is already banged-up. Chuba Hubbard gutted through injuries last season and Jonathan Brooks is expected to miss meaningful time rehabbing a knee, so Etienne enters camp with a clear path to first-team reps. Davis noted that Bryce Young desperately needs a reliable run game after Carolina finished dead last in yards per play, and new HC Dave Canales wants to take pressure off his quarterback by leaning heavier on outside-zone runs. That scheme matches Etienne’s 4.38 speed and one-cut style from Florida. Davis projected Etienne to open the year in a two-back rotation but to lead the team in touches by mid-September, making him a sneaky upside pick in best-ball drafts and a late-round stash in redraft leagues.

Trevor Sikkema believes the Panthers snagged their long-term change-of-pace back in Trevor Etienne. With defense addressed in free agency and WR1 Tetral McMillan secured at No. 8, Carolina could afford to chase offensive upside later. Sikkema projected Etienne to open 2025 as the RB2, siphoning passing-down and outside-zone snaps while offering breakaway potential Miles Sanders/Chuba Hubbard lack. He framed Etienne as an ideal dynasty stash who could push for lead-back duties once veteran contracts expire and a high-variance late-round best-ball pick thanks to his big-play profile.

Theo Gremminger stayed on the RB train by drafting Trevor Etienne to Carolina, arguing the rookie’s 4.3-speed and pass-game chops give him the inside track to overtake Rico Dowdle. Gremminger noted that Dave Canales has a track record of funneling touches to backs who can both run and catch, and the Panthers have added a running back in every off-season window under the current regime. If Etienne secures even a 40% snap share, Theo projects flex-level production thanks to scoring opportunities in a scheme that produced multiple fantasy RB2 finishes for Rachaad White. Dynasty managers should bet on the explosive profile and worry about depth-chart politics later.